Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Virat Kohli still the man for India’s ‘big swing’ as both sides mull bowling options

There is as much uncertainty over India’s bowling attack as there is to their batting line-up ahead of The West Test but former fast bowler Trent Copeland is warning Australia not to underestimate them.

India will be without Mohammed Shami for the first Test with Jasprit Bumrah taking over captaincy in Rohit Sharma’s absence.

It means India will once again be rolling out their second-string bowlers as they did last tour but Copeland says their attack should not be underestimated.

“Akash Deep and Mohammad Siraj on their best days are world-class bowlers, Deep’s last six months in particular he seems like he’s ready and raring to go,” the fast bowler turned Channel Seven commentator told The West Australian.

“Last time around at the Gabba saw Washington Sundar who not even most cricket nuffies would know come in and they still beat us.

“That’s what I’m expecting to see from India, genuinely the best bowler in the world is Japsrit Bumrah and they base their attack on that fulcrum.

“Siraj is the one who’s had the luxury of having Bumrah and Shami put teams on the back foot by the time he comes on and the challenge for him is if he can step up to be the key cog of that opening partnership.”

There have been reports India could go into the match with just one spinner, meaning either Ravindra Jadeja or Ravichandran Ashwin will miss out.

Copeland is not so sure believing India will stick to their guns in Perth.

“It’s an incredibly difficult call I don’t know how you separate those two,” he said.

“Even if they are saying we only want one spinner Jadeja has to be in the conversation of if he’s still their best number six batter.

“Until I see otherwise I’m still expecting both of them to play.”

Australia will be without Cam Green for the summer with the star all-rounder recovering from back surgery with Copeland saying his bowling will be a massive loss.

He admits Mitch Marsh may struggle to replicate Green’s impact across the summer.

“Cam Green is a genuine Test match fast bowler he is more than just a chop out for the other guys coming in from a million feet tall,” he said.

“Marsh is a great bowler in his own right but his body has not been able to hold up to do that five Tests in a row.

“I think Marsh will play a role in Perth and Adelaide under lights as opposed to the MCG SCG where we might see more Travis Head.”

Marnus Labuschcgane has emerged as a surprise seam option bowling seam-up in the Shield and was seen practising his bouncers at training on Wednesday.

However, Copeland doesn’t believe he is Australia’s answer for a fifth bowling option.

“I wouldn’t say they’d be overly concerned about Marsh bowling his spells but more let’s explore all of our options,” he said.

“Whether that’s actually a good one or not I’m not convinced I’m sure Marnus thinks it is, I know that he really loves cricket, whether he’s bowling seam up or spin he’s always going to get in the contest.

“But if Marnus is bowling seam up with a barrage of bumpers in Perth we’re on the back foot.”

Australia may be breathing a sigh of relief at not having to deal with their chief tormentor Cheteshwar Pujara this series while Virat Kohli could be fighting for his Test future after a lean run.

But Copeland said the Test champion is not to be underestimated while warning of India’s ‘Warner-like’ opener in Yashasvi Jaiswal.

“Jaiswal to me, has everything at his feet that guy is elite and is going to be really damaging Test cricket for a long time,” he said.

“He’s very much what David Warner was for us for many years, counter-punching putting the pressure on.”

“But the danger man is still Kohli, whether he’s in good form or not, they’ve just been beaten, a heavyweight boxer on the canvas what are they gonna do?

“They’re going to get up and take a big swing and he’s going to be a big part of that.”

The West Test starts Friday, 22 November 9.30pm AEDT live and free on Channel 7 and 7plus.